Month: August 2018

L-R:

Rider #7 Steve Rinker on a 1928 Indian Scout 101 “Pride Runner”

Rider #6 Justin Rinker on a 1916 Indian Power Plus “Cali”

Rider #37 Jared Rinker on a 1916 Indian Power Plus “Lexi”

Final preparations are almost complete. Support truck is almost full (I’m trying to convince Steve to take a microwave!) Work bench is set up. I think we’ve packed a zillon tools, parts and other stuff, “we hopefully won’t need, but we NEED to take, just in case,” according to Steve. Clothes go in tomorrow, along with some lawn chairs and our awning. We’ve been outside after dark, just to check out how much light the outside lighting on the support truck makes, how much the work area inside the support truck lights up, and how much light the amber lighting in the tool boxes illuminate the tools!

The final boxes of gear from Jared have arrived and the boys’ saddle bags are filled, so they are ready to go as well. They will fly into Portland, ME on Thursday. Steve & I will leave on Tuesday to get to Maine on Wednesday in time for pre-race inspection on the bikes and get everything checked in and approved.

Excitement levels are high and the adrenaline is flowing. Cannonball racers from all over are calling each other and checking in, problem solving, and creating the fever that is known as the MOTORCYCLE CANNONBALL! Let the games begin…….

This Cannonball, the White Knights (Buck Rinker & Dick Jones) will not be driving the support vehicle, but they have been a part of this upcoming one. They have test rode with Steve and been the support crew through the build process. This will be my first Cannonball as support crew on the run, instead of just “shop mechanic helper” (ha!) with Steve.

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We spent Saturday in the cool early morning air completing some shake down miles. It let the “Pride Runner” ease into her stride and break in the motor at a slow pace. She still needs to stretch her legs some more and probably won’t see her peak performance until about day three or four of the Cannonball. She should be able to really set the pace when she hits the midwest and be ready to climb the rockies. Here’s some pictures of “Almost Heaven” West Virginia scenery

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Steve took the finished Pride Runner to school last Thursday and spent the day visiting Mr. Groves’ 7th grade US Geography classes. The students were shocked to see the completed bike and couldn’t believe that Steve had built it from the pile of parts that he had taken in last fall and showed them. They were impressed and everyone couldn’t wait to take a turn and sit on her.

They were also excited to see the winning logo of the Pioneer drawn by Zoe Herriott with the “Pride Runner” name they had chosen last year on the shinguards. We even painted it their school colors – blue and gray. The Romney Middle School Pioneer Pride will be on display across the US.

Steve explained how the Motorcycle Cannonball Race worked, how score was kept, the kinds of penalties that could be deducted from his score, how the route map worked and answered a zillion other questions from these inquisitive students. They were excited to begin their first major school project for the year! We gave them a map of the United States with the Cannonball route and the daily stops so they could keep up. Mr. Groves has an amazing project planned out and this is our third time doing this with him. The students really get into this project. Steve & I asked them what they wanted videos and pictures of along our route, and they responded with a list that will keep us busy! Fellow Cannonballers, please tag me in pictures that will show these students our country, it’s landmarks, national parks, wildlife and interesting things along the route for the students to see as well!!!!

I tagged along in the support truck and let the students see where I would be spending my time. One class decided to see if they could all fit in the back, and when they did, one of them said, “Now shut the door and we’ll go with you!” They had all kinds of questions like: What’s that? (the vise on the workbench), Why would you need that? You’re going to put 3 bikes in here? What happens if you get tired of riding it? What parts will you take? Why do you have lights on the outside? What if it’s raining and you have to work on the bike? And the list goes on and on….

Let the lesson begin…..

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The Pride Runner is up and going after two weeks of off and on struggles with engine timing. We discovered that the newest part on our antique motor was at fault! Once the new magneto cap was replaced with an original one, she started on the first kick and finally came to life. So now the support truck layout begins in earnest, along with packing, picking what parts might be needed, arranging, re-arranging and arranging again all the “stuff” that we can’t do without, “just in case,” for the upcoming MOTORCYCLE CANNONBALL!

Twenty-two days and counting……. And the Gods of Speed are Smiling……

Here are a few pictures of the Pride Runner during the build process. We even decided on a blue and gray paint scheme to show the Romney Middle School Pioneer Pride as the students follow the bike in Mr. Groves’ 7th grade geography class while she travels across the United States. Her first stop will be at the middle school to show the students how she turned out before we head to Portland, ME for the start of the race.

Steve trying her out to see how she fits and it’s all where it should be.

Our grandson, Karson taking her for her first ride! Said she handles great and gave her a thumbs up!

Jared is a third generation Indian enthusiast. He is the proud Dad of three daughters: Jordan, Karter and Spencer. Jared lives with his family in Findlay, Ohio and works as an engineer in the petroleum industry. His favorite motorcycle from the family collection is the 1934 Standard Scout.

Justin is the Dad of twin boys, Landon and Nolan and their big brother, Karson. Justin is an engineer at a petroleum refinery in Robinson, IL. He is most proud of Lil Miss Red, the first bike (741 Custom) he independently restored.

Steve is Buck's son. It is his passion for the bikes that has allowed the team to grow their collection to what it is today. He loves sharing his talents with his sons, Justin and Jared, almost as much as he enjoys sharing his love for the motorcycles with his 6 grandchildren.